Pithead Italian decals - a review

[marshall1945]

Given I have used these on several vehicles recently i thought I woudl do a review:

http://smww2andnapoleonic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/pithead-italian-decals-review.html

Steve

[Techno]

Good review, Steve.
Only thing I'm wondering.....Might it be easier to use a scalpel with a new blade to cut out the individual decals ?
(Hmmmm....Maybe the blade would start getting 'bluntish' quite swiftly.)
Not familiar with this sort of work, so I may well be barking up the wrong tree ! 
Cheers - Phil

[fred.]

I use a scalpel for cutting decals out. I tend to cut a block out of the backing paper, then cut more closely to the decal shape. On the second cut you don't need to go through the backing paper just through the film.

Rather than dropping these tiny decals in water, I put the decal (or two) on my cutting mat, then add a drop or two of water to the decal using a paint brush. This is much more controlled and you don't have to worry about the decal floating away.

[fsn]

I've found that if you moisten the backing, then use two brushes to stroke the decal onto the surface it works pretty well. Only problem is that you need to keep the model still so tend to need three hands.

[marshall1945]

the nail scissors work really well and don't seem to lose their edge and that is not the fiddly bit so I will stick with that but I will definitely try cutting over a mat and putting some water on as that could make things a lot easier - and can sometimes be difficult fishing small decals out against surface tension even if you don't lose track of them in the process

cheers guys

Steve